Self-sizing jointed wrist-encircling bracelet



March 5, 1957 w. P. CANNING SELF-SIZING JOINTED WRIST-ENCIRCLING BRACELET 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 5, 1952 INVEN TOR. W/L L/AM x2 cA/vA/m/g A 7702Ny5 March 5, 1957 w. P. CANNING SELF-SIZING JOINTED WRIST-ENCIRCLING BRACELET Filed June 5, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V ENTOR. W/LL/AM (ANN/w United States Patent O SELF-SIZING JOINTED WRIST-ENCIRCLING BRACELET William P. Canning, Woodbury, Conn., assignor to Benrus Watch Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application June 5, 1952, Serial No. 291,959

24 Claims. (Cl. 63-9) The present invention relates to the construction of a jointed bracelet so that the jointed portions thereof will resiliently accommodate themselves to the size and shape of the wearers wrist. It is here specifically disclosed as used with a wrist watch and adapted to secure the watch to the wearers Wrist, but it is susceptible of more generalized uses as well.

One type of wrist watch bracelet which has become exceedingly popular takes the form of a pair of rigid curved claws pivotally attached to the ends of a watch case and adapted, in conjunction with the watch case, to encircle a major portion of the wrist of the wearer and thus hold the watch in place, the claws being spreadable to permit the wearers wrist to escape from between the claws when it is desired to remove the watch from the wrist. One drawback inherent in this type of construction is the fact that the wrists of individuals vary widely as to size and shape, and a claw configuration produceable on a mass production basis cannot fit every wrist snugly and smoothly.

Resiliently jointed bracelets, and even resiliently jointed watch bracelets, have been known in the past, but they have not been widely used because their construction did not lend itself to the use of sturdy parts nor to the ready assemblability which is so necessary if such structures are to be produced on a quantity basis and at a competitive price. In particular, the use of helically coiled springs surrounding the pivoted joint between adjacent bracelet elements has not proved entirely practical because the limited space available for such springs has necessitated the fabrication of the springs from thin,

and consequently comparatively flimsy, material, thus.

giving rise to a weak wrist encircling force and to frequent breakage. The use of leaf springs extending 'between adjacent bracelet elements has been proposed, those springs being considerably sturdier and hence more dependable than the helically coiled springs previously mentioned, but the problems involved in mounting those leaf springs with respect to the bracelet elements have prevented the widespread or effective adoption of this expedient.

The structure of the present invention permits the use of a sturdy spring having the desirable characteristics of both the helically coiled and leaf springs but without the disadvantages previously attendant upon their use. In particular, the springs employed in the present invention are formed and mounted independently of the pivotal connection between adjacent bracelet elements, those elements being made in the form of shells and the springs being readily insertable into the shells as they are assembled to form the finished bracelet. The springs cooperate with the interior of the shells in a novel and effective manner so as to be held in place without having to provide any special holding means in the shell, and act in a positive and effective manner so as to urge the bracelet elements or shells into wrist-encircling position. More specifically, the shells nest within one another and are pivotally connected to one another at their 2,783,625 Patented Mar. 5, 1957 internested portions, the shells being provided with open mouths at their ends through which portions of the springs may extend from one shell to the next. The springs themselves are provided with portions, usually in the form of coils which add to the resiliency and dependability of action of the springs, which are insertable into the shells from one end thereof but not through the other end thereof, those portions abutting the shell end through which they cannot pass so as to limit the direction of movement of the springs toward that shell end. Other portions of the springs engage with elements on the interior of the shells (not provided specially for that purpose) so as to limit the movement of the springs with respect to the shells in the opposite direction, thus fixing the relative position of the springs and shells.

Where, as is here specifically disclosed, the bracelet is in two separable parts comparable to the rigid claws previously described as utilized in a particular type of watch bracelet, the terminal links or shells of the bracelet are closed at their free ends, their other ends, which are received within and pivotally mounted in the adjacent regular shells, having an open mouth through which a spring portion may extend, thespring active upon these terminal shells being preferably held inposition by being interlocked with a portion, and preferably the coiled portion, of the next adjacent spring.

By reason of the construction thus described, a jointed bracelet is produced which will, in a uniformly dependable manner, resiliently grasp the wrist of the wearer and conform itself to the size and shape thereof, this bracelet being constructed of a minimum number of simply constructed elements, all well adapted to mass production, which elements may be assembled in a notably simple, rapid and foolproof manner.

To the accomplishment of the above and to such other objects as may hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to a jointed bracelet construction as defined in the appended claims, and as described in this specification, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a three-quarter perspective view of the bracelet of the present invention in use on the wrist of a wearer, the invention being shown as a watch bracelet;

Figs. 2 and 3 are idealized views showing the manner in which the bracelet construction will adapt itself to wrists of different sizes and shapes, Fig. 2 showing the bracelet encircling a narrow wrist and Fig. 3 showing the bracelet encircling a thinner but wider wrist;

Fig. 4 is an end cross sectional view taken along line 4--'4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of one of the standard spring units employed in that bracelet;

Fig. 6 is a front 'elevational view of the spring of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a spring specifically designed for use with the terminal link of that bracelet;

Fig. 8 is a top cross sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing a specifically different construction;

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of one of the standard spring units employed in the bracelet of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a front elevational view of the spring of Fig. 10;

. Fig. 12 is a top plan view of a spring specifically designed for use with the terminal link of the bracelet of Fig. 9; and

. Fig. 13 is a front elevational view of the spring of Fig. 12.

. Having reference first to the embodiment of Figs. 1-8,

the

the bracelet comprises a plurality of hollow shells ,2'ea'ch with and pivotally connected to a link 4, preferably of comparable shape, which is fixed to thewatch case 6. The bracelet is here disclosed in the form of a pair of jointed claws generally designated 7 and 7' depending from the watch case'6, the ends of each of these claws being defined 'by a terminal shell 8 partially received within and beingpivctally connected to the last'or lowermost regula'rshell 2'; M

All of'the' shells are provided with a large end 10 and'a sinalle'nd '12, the'large end 10 having an open mouth 14 of a width at least equal to the width of the small shell ends 12 but being less than thewidth of the largeshellendslil. The small shell ends 1-2pass through the-mouths 14 ofadjacentshell s' and arereceived within the large ends '10 of those adjacent shells, there being pivotally' connected to'said adj'acent shells by-means of pins 16; The height of the mouths 14 is sufficiently greater than the height of the shell portions passing theretlirough s o that each of the shell hasa limited deg-reeof pivotal motion relative to adjacent shells. Each of the shells 2, 2 and-8 are provided, attheir small endsf-12 with open'mouths 18, these months having a restricted-height, as 'may' best be seenfrom Fig. 4, which is appreciably less than the height of-the open mouths 14 at'the large shell ends 10. 'For obvious reasons, the small end 12 of thelshell 4 need not be'provided with any month at all,.and the largee'n'd 10 of the terminal shell8 should not be providedlwith any mouth, butshould be completely closed by an end wall 25 for purposes of appearance and in order-to protecttheibracelet.

In order 'to' cause the'shells 2, 2' and -8 to pivotin a-wrist-encir'cling and -engagi ng direction, springs are mounted. inside the bracelet, these springs being active on the:shells-so:a's tocause them to pivot in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. land 4, when the righthand claw 7 is considered, and in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in'Figs. 2 and 3, when theleft hand claw I .is considered. The springs employed in the regular shells 2 and 25 are shown in Figs. and 6, one such spring :be'ing usedfor each shell 2 or-2'. These springs comprise afpairf of-divergent arms 20, a pair of spaced coils 22, one at theend of each of the arms 20, and-a reversely bent section 24 joining the coils 22 and extendingztherefromto the opposite-side thereof from the arms 20"but atanangle-to those arms 20,.as may best be seen itornzE-i'g. '6. T hespring is formed'of anyisuitable resilientxrnaterial such. as high. tensile stainless steel spring wirerandfor purposes'of sturdiness this wire'may have an: appreciable dia'metersuch-as, for example, .015 inch. :The, coils. 22. are not passable through the mouth 18 at the small endll-lof the shells 2 either because their licigbtis-greater than the. height of themouth 18,,tlieir lateral spacing is greater than the width'of the mouth l '91" .hQlh- 1hr: length of the arms 20 is suchfthat when a given spring is inserted-into a-shell 2101 2 through the-mputh 14 at therlarge endv lit). thereof; .whi'ch-mohth 1,4 of suflicient' size to, permit such entrance,"the spring beingPflSSfid through the shell 2. until. the coils 22abutthesmallmouth 1.8, the diverging tips ofthe arms 20 will snap into place against the end wall-25 atz'the large end 1!]v of the shell 2'01. 2' on either side of the mouth 14. In this manner the springs "will be secnrelyhe ld in, place in the shells: 2 or '2,.upwa'rd movement in Fig; 4 being prevented; by engagement'between' the coils 22, and the mouth 18, and downward movemerit being prevented by engagement between the arms ZQ- n thesh and walls 25. When a, spring is in thislocked position, its reversely bentlportionr'24:will extend out of the shell 2 or 2 via the mouth 18 and, into. the next adjacent shell 2 or 4;, where it willTenga'ge against the bottom wall 27 thereof after being bentfroin'.

itsangular position, relative to the arms 20, 'as shdwnin lff g, 6 ,to-amore'closely parallel positiona's shown in B g. {1-, the coils'22 twisting to permit 'vthisuand the area spring thus acting resiliently upon the shells so as to urge them to pivot to a wrist-engaging and encireling position. The pivotal movement of each shell with respect to the shell to which it is'pivotally connected will be limited by the height of the mouth 14, clockwise movement in Fig. 4 being limited by engagement between the bottom wall 27 of a shell with the bottom of the mouth 14 andpivotal movement in a counter-clopkwise directionagainst the action of the springs being" limited by engagement between the top' wall 29 of a shell and the upper edge of the mouth 14.

Sirlce-the terminal link 8 does not have an open mouth at the large end 10 thereof, a spring of specifically 'different de gn m be em l ycd herew th, that p s being shown in Fig. 7 It comprises a pair of divergent arms 26 having laterally directed fingers 28 at the free ends thereof, the other ends of the arms 26 being connected to coils 30 which are in turn connected by means of-a reversely bent portion 32 correspohdiiig' tbthereversely bent portion 2 4 of 'the other springs." l'h e spring of Fig. 6 is adapted to be secured in place bypassing the arms 26 to pass between the Cells 22 or" the springin'theadjacent regular shell 2, the fingers 28"bein"g received inside said coils 22 The engagement between the fingers 28 and the coils 22 serve'to lock the'spring ofFig. 7 inposition. The reversely bent portion 32 will freely enter the terminal link 8 via its restricted mouth 18, even though the-coils 30 cannot passthrough that mouth, the reversely bent portion 32 thusacting-upon the bottom wall 27 of the terminal link. 8 so as to'swing that link into wrist-encircling engagement. i The manner of assembly 'of'the' bracelet of Figs. 1-8 will. in the main be apparent from the above description of its construction. Assembly is progressively accom plished. The uppermost link 2 is telescope-d with respect to the link 4-, and is pivotally connectedthereto by means ofthe pin 16. The spring of Figs. 5 and 6 is then inserted into the shell 2 via the mouth 14 thereof and with thereversely. bent section 24 foremost, thatsectionpassmg through the restricted mouth 18 and'into theshell 4 while the coils 220E thespring approach the restricted mouth 18. When the spring has been fully inserted into the shell 2, the coils '22 abutting against the mouth 18, the arms.20-will havepassedthrough' the mouth 14 and sprung apart so as to engage against theshell' end wall 25, thus fixing the positionof the spring with respect to the shellf2. This sequence of operations is continued until. the last regular'shell 2 ha's'been secured in place and-itsv spring has been inserted, the reverselyabentsections 24 0f the' seve'ral springsbeing receivedbetween the? diverging arms-2t) of the preceding spring. The spring 0f 'Fig. 1 is then secured in placebyTcausing-its fingers 23 to1engage' inside the coiled portions '22 of: the preceding spring within the shell 2', the r'ever'sely bent portidn;32 of -the spring. of "Fig; 7 extendingdownwardly outth-roiigh the mouth 14 ofthe last regular shell 2f. The, terminal shell tfi'is then telescoped1witliin said last regular shell 2 and is pivotally secured in place by means of a pin 16, the reversely bent section 32 or the spring of -Fig. 7 passing insidethe terminal shell -.8 via the mouth-18 at-the small and 12 thereof.

"lihebracelet Of-Eigs. 9-43, is constructed and assembled in substantially the same manner, except that different springs-are employed. lltpwill'be-noted, however, that the shells of the-bracelet ofFig. 9 are of specifically different 1 shape than the shells of the braceletv of Fig. 4, and'that the'shcllsof thefbracelet of Fig. 9jare pivotally. secured together t e specifically diiterent manner, theshellsfof ig. '9 beingprovided with bushings 3.4 atthe small ends 12:thereof through which the pinsl16 are adapted to pass, these bushings projecting above the top walls 2; of the shells, wherasin Fig. 4 the-pins lgfi merely pass through the side walls 31 of the shells at their srnall ends 12.

"The. springs employed forthe regular shells 2 and 2'. eithe bracelet of'Fig; 9. are define'd'by a coil 36 from the opposite ends of which long arm 38 and short arm 40 extend in opposite directions and at angles to one another, the long arm 38 terminating in a hook 42. As in the previously described embodiment, the coil 36 is of a size such that it cannot pass through the comparatively restricted mouth 18 at the small end 12 of the shells 2 or 2', the restricted nature of that mouth 18 being defined in part by the bushing 34 as here specifically disclosed. Hence the spring for the uppermost shell 2 is first caused to enter the shell 4 via the comparatively expansive mouth 14 at the large end thereof, the short arm 40 and the coil 36 being received within the shell 4 past the point at which the shell 2 will be pivotally secured thereto. Thereafter the shell 2 is telescoped within the shell 4, the long arm 38 of the spring entering the shell 2 via the restricted mouth 18 thereof, and a pin 16 is passed through the bushing 34 on the shell 2 and through the side walls of the shell 4 in order to pivotally secure the shells together.

The spring for the next shell, here shown as the last regular shell 2, is then inserted into the already pivotally secured shell 2 via the mouth 14 thereof, and the next shell 2' is then telescoped within the pivotally secured to the first mentioned shell 2, care being taken that the hooked end 42 of the arm 38 of the first inserted spring engages over the bushing 34 on the second mentioned shell 2. Movement of the springs with respect to the shells in an upward direction in Fig. 9 is limited by engagement between the hooked end 42 of the arm 38 and the bushing 34 on the appropriate shell, while movement of the spring with respect to the shell in the opposite.

direction is limited by engagement between the coil 36 thereof and the restricted mouth 18 of the appropriate shell. Even in absence of the bushing 34, movement of the spring with respect to the shell in an upward direction would be resisted by the curvature of the hooked end 42, the body of which is taller than the height of the mouth 18. To remove the spring in an upward direction a sufiiciently strong pull would have to be exerted thereon, even after it had been pulled past the bushing 34, to cause the hooked end 42 to flatten out. This could be accomplished only manually in the course of emergency disassembly of the bracelet, but could not occur while the bracelet was in use.

In this construction the action of a given spring is exerted between one shell and the shell next removed. For example, taking the uppermost spring, its arm 40 is active on the initial shell 4 and its arm 38 is active on the upper surface of the shell 2. It thus not only causes the shell 2 to pivot in a clockwise direction with respect to the initial shell 4, but also, because it engages the shell 2' at a point below the pin 16 which connects it to the shell 2, it causes the shell 2' to pivot in a clockwise direction with respect to the shell 2.

The spring useable with the terminal shell 8 of the bracelet of Fig. 9 is shown in Figs. 12 and 13. That spring comprises a coil 44, from the opposite ends of which extend arms 46 and 48, those arms extending to opposite sides of the coiled portion 44 and at angles to one another. The arm 46 is provided with an inwardly projecting finger 54) adapted to be received inside the coil 36 of the next adjacent spring. In assembling the terminal link 8, the spring of Figs. 12 and 13 is first inserted.

into and through the last of the regular shells 2' and into the next higher shell 2, the fingers 50 on the arm 46 being engaged inside the coil 36 of the adjacent regular spring,

the coil 44 then being positioned within the last regular shell 2 inwardly of the point where the terminal shell 8,

will be secured thereto. The terminal shell 8 is then telescoped within the last regular shell 2 and pivotally secured in position by means of pin 16. The arm 48 of The degree to which the bracelet of the present inven tion will conform to the wrist of the wearer will depend upon the size and number of shells employed; the greater the number of shells the more closely will conformation take place. As may be seen from a comparison of Figs. 2 and 3, the bracelet will smoothly conform to wrist contours of various shapes and to wrists of various sizes, and without any unsightly gaps being formed, while at the same time the watch 6 will be firmly secured in place. When it is desired to remove the watch or bracelet from the wrist, the terminal links 8 need merely be spread apart, the other links also pivoting in an outward direc tion with respect to the wrist to the extent permitted .by the mouths 14 and against the resilient action of the springs.

The bracelet components are of standard design and may 'be manufactured very inexpensively. The shells and springs are independently formed and independently assembled. Because small clearances and the use of small spaces is avoided, the springs may be comparatively massive, particularly when compared with prior art springs designed to perform a comparable function, and hence give greater resilient action with increased dependability and longer life. Because of the specific design of the springs and shells, assembly of the bracelet is facilitated and can be performed by operators with but a minimal amount of skill. Moreover, the assembly operation is relatively foolproof. For example, taking the embodiment of Figs. 1-8, when the divergent arms 20 pass within a given shell and snap beyond the mouth 14 thereof, the assembler will know that the spring is in its proper position. In the embodiment of Fig. 9, when the hooked end 42 of the arm 38 snaps over the top of the newly inserted shell, the operator will similarly know that the spring is in proper operative position.

While but two embodiments of the present invention have been here disclosed, both specifically designed for use as watch bracelets and to supplant or supplement the rigid claw-type bracelet now widely in use, it will be apparent that the construction in question may 'be utilized in bracelets of specifically different types and that wide variations in the details of the construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a jointed bracelet comprising a plurality'of hollow shells having large and small ends and with open months at said ends, the small end of one shell being received inside the large end of an adjacent shell and pivotally mounted therein about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said bracelet, the size of.

the months at the large ends of said shells in the direction of pivotal movement of said shells being sufiicient to permita limited degree of relative pivotal movement; the improvement which comprised springs each comprising a body portion passing through one of said shells, a first operative portion passing through the narrow'end of said one of said shells, entering into the adjacent shell and engaging the inside of said adjacent shell, and a second operative portion engageable inside one of said shells adjacent the large end thereof, said springs being active to urge said bracelet into wrist-engaging position, said springs having a part disposed out of registration with the open mouth at the narrow end of said one of said shells andlow shells having large and small ends and with open months at said-ends, the small end of one shell being received inside the large end of an adjacent shell and piv ud1cu I, 1 h mm sa ths s as s t sti Wa was: a a d hst 'bsia stfijcientto permit a limiteddegree of relative pivota move.- riiil-t the improvement.whichlcpinprisessprings in said shells eaehieasr nun a pair of divergent arms the-t'ps o i which are'seatedat he large end ope ofsaid shells to veittierside of the open mouth at said end, apd a Q9}? tiori connecting said arms including a part extends set through'the narrow end of one" of said shells, into the shllfadjacen-tsaid narrow shell .end apd engaging an innehsilrface of-said adjacent shell, said springs being active to sjrgesatd' bracelet into a wristgengaging position, said springshaving "a part disposed out of registration with the openmouth at the narrow tend of said one of an sh s an n a ing a i st'f Td rro n wh n saidyspring is movedtheretoward, saidfspring being restrfaf from movement in one'directi-on substantially parallel tothe length of said" bracelet by engagement 'betwieensaid. spring part and said narrow'end and the otherjdirection to engagement between said divergent arms and sald large shell end. i w

The jointedbracelet of claim 2 in whichsaid arms and said part of said connecting portion are in planes optot line with one another.

i 4, The jointed bracelet oftclairn 2, in which said part of said connecting portion is received within said adjacent shellbetween the divergent arms of the next adjacent prin s w l 5.] In a jointed bracelet comprising a pluralityof hollow shellshaving large and small ends and with open mouths said lendspthe small end of onev shell being received in side' the large end of an adjacent shell and pivotally mounted therein about an axis substantially perpendicular to the, longitudinal axis oi said bracelehthe size of; the mouths at the large ends of said shells in the direction of pivotal movement of said shells being sufficient to permit a limited degree of relative pivotal mo vemeut; the improvement which comprises springs in said shells each comprising apair of divergent arms the tips of which are seated at the large end of one of said shells to either side of the open mouth thereat, and a portion connecting said arms and including a pair of spaced coils, one at the end of each of said arms, and a reversely bent section joining said coils and extending therefrom in a direction opposite fromjsaid arms and in a plane out of line withthe plane of said arms, said reversely bent section extending into the shell adjacent the small end of said first named shell, saidf-sjection' engaging an inner surface of said adjacent shelhsaid springs being active on said bracelet so as to urge it into a wrist-engaging positionQsaid springs having a part disposed out of registration with the open mouth at thenarr-ow end, of said one of said shells and engaging againstsaid narrow end when said spring is moved'theretoward, said spring being restrained from movement in irfectionsuhstantially parallel to the length of said bracelet by engagement between said spring part and said ant s/ens and in the othendirection to engagement between said divergent arms and said large shell end.

'6, The jointed bracelet of claim 5, in which said reversely bent section is positioned Within said adjacent shell between the divergent arms oi the adjacent spring.

7'. In a jointed bracelet comprising a plurality of hollow shells having large and small ends and'with open months at said ends, the small end of one shell being received inside thela rge end of an adjacent shell and pivotally mounted therein about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said bracelet,-the size of the months at the'large ends of said shells in the direction of pivotal movement of said shells being sufficient to permit a limited degree of relative pivotalmovement; the provement comprises springs each passing substantiallyzco iiipletly through one at said shells, engaging ins r a s as s aid. he ls when ts'i ase sat sea ttalimitthsre taissib sta emen sin ster-s rigs thrss h sais shst ta a i s id aridext 'rli sest hr ugh the W W end-s d shel to he an ad ac nt h ll said prins i is ac n s d brac t a o was it n a ris asa as w d n s i r n s ha n a part disposed out oi registration with the open mouth @ttl'lfl tl'cl ijrow end ofsaid one of said shells and engaging a a ns a d nnd h d sr ns s m v th toward, thereby limiting the permissible movement of said spring through said shell toward said narrow end.

8. in combinationwith the bracelet of claim 5, a hollow terminalshellof shape comparable to the other shells but having an open mouth only at the small end thereof, ai sm l nd b n Wa v d Within n ri -tally mountedwith respect to the last of the-other shells of said bracelet, and a spring comprising a pair oi arms r isn d lsns e the assess r s f e t nsin. s i last of s d e h shs s sad ha in fiassr assessable with said coils so as to hold said spring in position, and o it o w s ss ins sa drms an s s di i e terminal shell, said spring being active to pivot said terminal shell with respect to said other shells into a wristns siqs ao ngfln'atjointed bracelet comprising a plurality of hollow shells having large and small ends and with open months, at said ends, the small end of one shell being receivedinside-the; large end of an adjacent shell and pivotally mounted therein about an axis substantially per pendicular to, the longitudinal axis of said bracelet, the size .of the mouths at the large ends of said shells in the direction ot pivotal movement of said shells being sufficientto permit a limited degree of relative movement; the. improvementwhich comprises springs in said shells each comprising a coiled portion and a pair otoperative,

, portions-extending to either side of said coiled-portion and at angles, to one another, said spring extending through adjacent shells, one of vsaid operative portions extending substantially to the largeend of .one oi said shells and there engaging said, shell so as to limit the permissible movement of said spring relative to said shell in the direction of said end, the other of said operative portions ex! tending into the adjacent shell, said springs being active on said bracelet so as to urge it into awrist-engaging position, said springs having a part disposed out of registration with the open mouth at the narrow end of said one of, said shells and engaging against said narrow end when said spring is moved theretoward, thereby limiting the permissible movement of said. spring through said shell'towa rd said narrow end.

10. In a'jointed bracelet comprisng a plurality of hQl'. low shells having large and small ends and with open mouthsgat said ends, the open mouth at said large end. having adimension greater than the corresponding dimen: sion ofthe open mouth at said small end, the small end of one shell being received inside the large end of an adjacent shell and pivotally mounted therein about an axis spbstantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said'bracelet; the improvement which comprises springs each comprising a stop portion extending out of the gen-. eralconfiguration of said spring and a pair of operative portions extending in opposite direction from said stop portion and at angles "to one another, said stop portion being passable through the open mouth at the large end of; a shell but not being passable through the open mouth at the, s nal-l end oi said shell, said spring being positioned so that saidstop portion is adjacent. the open mouth at the, small end of one of a pair-.of adjacent shells, thus:

limiting its movement relative to said shells in. a direction toward said mouth,.one. of the operativeportions of said spring. extending within the interior of the shell in which said coiled portionis received and the otherot said opera ative portions extending through said adjacent open mouth nd hi s he. adjac n hel ia pr ngs. b in w r a.- a d ac t s Q s t n a W i, -stxsasite pqs tion.

greases 11. The jointed bracelet of claim 10, in which said stop portion is adjacent the inside of the mouth at the narrow end of a shell and said one of said operative por tions extends to and engages the interior of said shell adjacent the large end thereof thus limiting the movement of said spring relative to said shell in the opposite directron.

12. The jointed bracelet of claim 10, in which said stop portion is within one shell and adjacent the outside of the open mouth at the small end of an adjacent shell, and in which said other of said operative portions engages a structural element in said adjacent shell, thus limiting the movement of said spring relative to said shells in the opposite direction.

13. The jointed bracelet of claim 10, in which said stop portion is within one shell and adjacent the outside of the open mouth at the small end of an adjacent shell, and in which said other of said operative portions engages around the pivotal connection between said adjacent shell and the next adjacent shell, thus limiting the movement of said spring relative to said shells in the opposite direction.

14. In a jointed bracelet comprising a plurality of hollow shells having large and small ends and with open mouths at said ends, the open mouth at said large end having a dimension greater than the corresponding dimension of the open mouth at said small end, the small end of one shell being received inside the large end of an adjacent shell and pivotally mounted therein about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said bracelet; the improvement which comprises springs active between said shells so as to urge them into a wristengaging position, said springs each comprising a pair of coiled portions, a pair of divergent arms extending from said coiled portions in one direction, and a reversely bent section joining said coiled portions and extending therefrom in a direction opposite from said arms and in a plane out of line with the planes of said arms, said coiled portions being passable through the open mouth at the large end of a shell but not being passable through the open mouth at the small end of said shell, said spring being positioned so that said coiled portions are adjacent the inside of the mouth at the narrow end of a shell, thus limiting its movement relative to said shell in a direction toward said mouth, said divergent arms engaging the inside of said shell at the large end of the open mouth thereat, thus limiting the direction of movement of said spring in the opposite direction with respect to said shell, and said reversely bent section extending through the open mouth adjacent said coiled portions, into the adjacent shell and engaging said adjacent shell, said reversely bent portion being received in said adjacent shell between the divergent arms of the next adjacent spring.

15. In combination with the jointed bracelet of claim '10, in which said stop portion of said springs comprise coiled portions, a hollow terminal shell of shape comparable to the other shells but having an open mouth only .at the small end thereof, said small end being received wifliin and pivotally mounted with respect to the last of .the other shells of said bracelet, and a spring comprising :a coiled portion and a pair of operative portions extending in opposite directions from said coiled portion and :at angles to one another, said coiled portion being positioned within the last of the other shells, one of said operative portions being engaged with coiled portion of 'the spring in said last of the other shells, and the other of said operative portions extending into and operatively engaging said terminal shell, said spring being active 'on said terminal shell, said spring being active on said terminal shell so as to urge it into a wrist-engaging pivoted position.

16. In combination with the jointed bracelet of claim 11, in which said stop portion of said springs comprise coiled portions, a hollow terminal shell of shape comparable to the other shells but having an open mouth only at the small end thereof said small end being received within and pivotally mounted with respect to the last of the other shells of said bracelet, and a spring comprising a coiled portion and a pair of operative portions extending in opposite directions from said coiled portion and at angles to one another, said coiled portion being positioned within the last of the other shells, one of said operative portions being engaged with the coiled portion of the spring in said last of the other shells, and the other of said operative portions extending into and operatively engaging said terminal shell, said spring being active on said terminal shell so as to urge it into a wrist-engaging pivoted position.

17. In combination with the jointed bracelet of claim- 12, a hollow' terminal shell of shape comparable to the other shells but having an open month only at the small end thereof, said small end being received within and pivotally mounted with respect to the last of the other shells of said bracelet, and a spring comprising a stop portion and a pair of operative portions extending in opposite directions from said stop portion and at angles to one another, said stop portion being positioned within the last of the other shells, one of said operative portions being engaged with the stop portion of the spring in said last of the other shells, and the other of said op erative portions extending into and operatively engaging said terminal shell, said spring being active on said ternninal shell so as to urge it into a wrist-engaging pivoted Iposition.

18. In combination with the jointed bracelet of claim 14, in which said stop portion of said springs comprise coiled portions, a hollow terminal shell of shape compara-.

ble to the other shells but having an open mouth only at the small end thereof, said small end being. received with in and pivotally mounted with respect to the last of the other shells of said bracelet, and a spring comprising a pair of coiled portions, a pair of divergent arms extending from said coiled portions in one direction and having fingers projecting therefrom, and a reversely bent section joining said coiled portions and extending therefrom in a direction opposite from said arms and in a plane out of line with the planes of said arms, said coiled portions being positioned within the last of the other shells, said arms being received alongside, and said fingers engaging inside, the coiled portions of the adjacent spring in said last of the other shells, and said reversely bent section extending into and operatively engaging said terminal shell, said spring being active on said terminal shell so as to urge it into a wrist-engaging pivoted position.

19. A jointed bracelet comprising a plurality of hollow elements pivotally secured to one another, adjacent ends of said elements having aligned openings therethrou'gh, at least one of which openings is defined at least in part by walls of said elements, abutments being defined on both sides of said opening, and a spring passing through said openings and operatively engaging said shells so as to urge them into a wrist-engaging pivoted position, said spring having portions bent out therefrom to a degree greater than the size of at least'one of said end openings and on both sides of said one of said one openings, said spring portions operatively engaging said abutments at at least one of said element ends so as to limit the movement of said spring longitudinally of said bracelet in both directions.

20. The jointed bracelet of claim 19, in which said spring extends to an appreciable length longitudinally through each of said elements, at least one of said bent out portions being integral at both ends with the body of said spring and being resiliently flattenable to facilitate insertion or removal of said spring.

21. In a jointed bracelet comprising a plurality of hol low elements having adjacent telescoped ends pivotally secured to one another, the inner telescoped end having an opening of restricted size therethrough, defined at least in part by walls of said element, abutments being dearea-pas hro gh pening and operatively en ging said-elm meats-"so a to use them into-za-wrist-eugasingPi 6d pos ion; he i p ement hich comprises sp ing havinanortions n o of he general longitudinal axis of said bracelet .to a degree greater than the size of said p n n a p sit ned on th sides of said opening saidspring portions operatively engaging. said abutments at'said inner telescoped. end so as to limit the movement oi said. spring longitudinally of said bracelet in both directions.

.22. The; jointed bracelet of .claim 21, in which said spring extends to an appreciable length longitudinally throughaeachof said elements, at. least one .ofsaid .bent out portions being. integral .at both ends with the body ofisaidsspring and being resiliently .ilattenable to facilitate/insertion or removalofsaidspring.

23. A jointed bracelet comprising a plurality of hollowelements pivotally secured to one another, adjacent ends ofsaid elements .having aligned openings there, through,.and a spring passing through said openings and operatively engaging said. shells so as to urge them into a wrist-engaging pivoted position, said spring having portions-bent out therefrom to a degree greater than the size of atlcast one of said end openings and. on both sides of saidone of said end openings, said spring portions operatively engaging at least one of said element ends-so as. to limit the movement of saidspring longitudinally of said bracelet in both directions, said spring extending to an appreciable length longitudinally through each of said elements, at least one of said bent out portions being integral at. both ends with the body of said spring and heingiresiliently fiattenable to.- facilitate. insertion. or removal if-said spring-.

. 2,4. Ina jointed bracelet: comprising a plurality of: hollow elements having adjacent teleseoped ends pivotally sccnredto one another, the inner telescoped end having an open ng ofrestricted size therethrough, and a spring passing through said opening and operatively engaging said elements so as to urge them into a wrist-engaging pivoted position; theimprovernent which comprises said springrhaving portions bentout of thegeneral longitudinal axis of said bracelet to'a degree greater thanthe size of said opening and positioned on bothsides ofsaid opening, said spring portions operatively engagingsaid inner telescoped end so as to limit the movement of. said spring longitudinally of said bracelet. in both directions, said spring extending to an appreciable length longitudinally through each of said elements, at least. one. of said bent out portions being integral, at both ends'with the body of said spring and being resiliently 'flattenable' to faeilia tate insertionor removal of saidspring.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 236,392 Vester Jan. 4, 1881 2,120,308 Bezault c June 14, 1938 2,417,289 Bisso et a1. Mar. 11, 1947 2,449,273 Bisso ---s Sept. 14, 1948. 2,612,302 Dinstinan Sept. 30, 195.2

FOREIGN PATENTS 823,814 Germany Oct. 31, 1951 

